Welcome to the home of SwiftCraftyMonkey Formulating Inc.! Join Susan as she obsesses about cosmetic chemistry and other things (some possibly related to monkeys)! Here you’ll find over 5,000 posts and formulas written over the past 16 years for everything from lotions, creams, and body butters to hair care products to fancy facial products filled with actives and cosmeceuticals! Enjoy the site without distractions – no ads, pop ups, sponsored posts, affiliate links, “one weird tricks” – all supported by readers like you.
I’m excited that you’re thinking about making a lotion! They are such great products, and after you’ve made one for the first time, you won’t be so scared about making it again! I encourage you to follow the recipe and instructions exactly the first time you make it, and keep loads of notes so you...
In this post, If you’re new to lotion making, Heidi L asks: I can’t mentally get past this one super basic concept… I understand the idea of heat and hold, I get the mechanics of double boilers. But how on earth do I control the temperatures of the water and oil phases? You list the...
As you might have read, I’ve been sick lately. It’s been one heck of a flu, and I’m still struggling with low energy issues and sinus problems. I thought I’d get to some of the comments you’ve made in the last few weeks. Please be patient with me – I’m wading through the e-mail and...
Sunflower oil is a great addition to a body butter thanks to the – oh no, she’s going to mention it again!!! – linoleic acid, which helps speed up skin’s barrier repair mechanisms and reduces transepidermal water loss; oleic acid, which moisturizes and softens; and phytosterols, which reduce inflammation and itching. As I’ve just covered this subject in the One...
Sunflower oil is a great inclusion in any lotion or cream you might be making to help with broken skin thanks to all that lovely Vitamin E and linoleic acid, so I’m including it in my zinc oxide lotion. My lotion is based on this one – a light lotion with pumpkin seed oil –...